| TheSource4YM.com | |
 | Jonathan’s Resource Ezine |
Weekly Resources, Ideas and Articles from The Source for Youth Ministry
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
| In This Issue |
- Something You Can Use This Week: A Beautiful Mind MOVIE CLIP DISCUSSION, Including Small Group Questions, Bible Passage, and a Wrap Up
- Featured Book: Jonathan and Fred’s new discussion starter book using questions about current slanguage
- Movie Reviews: Jonathan and Todd banter about THE DEPARTED, Todd reviews STRANGER THAN FICTION and Jonathan’s nine-year-old reviews FLUSHED AWAY
- Reaching Out to the Unchurched Teenager Training: Last week to get the early bird rate of just $10 for the Eastern PA training on Saturday March 17th … coming April 28th: Detroit, Michigan training
| If you aren’t a subscriber of this EZINE and would like to subscribe – it’s free – just pop on www.TheSource4YM.com and sign up in the upper right hand corner. |
| Something You Can Use This Week: A Beautiful Mind MOVIE CLIP DISCUSSION, Including Small Group Questions, Bible Passage, and a Wrap Up |
The topic: Giving God Credit
As always, you can find even more of these ideas by just popping onto our web site and clicking on the left hand side bar where it says MOVIE CLIP DISCUSSIONS. That page is a gold mine for relevant Biblical discussions launched from movie clips that you can rent at your corner video store. These discussion starters include small group questions, scripture, and a wrap up. All you need to do is pop by Blockbuster and rent the film… we do the rest!
A Beautiful Mind (Universal, 2001)Main Point: When things are going well, we must remember to give God the credit that is due.
Attention Grabber: Movie – A Beautiful Mind
This movie is based on a true story about a man named John Nash, a complete mathematical genius known for his theories on balance. His genius takes him to being entangled in a mysterious conspiracy, one that only the love between him and his wife can free him from. The movie is an amazing story of love and passion and courage. This movie brings us exceptional acting by Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, and Jennifer Connelly, and the writing is incredible too.
Clip: “You are the reason that I am.”
The clip used here takes place toward the end of the movie. John Nash has won the Nobel Prize and is up on stage to give his acceptance speech. He is old now and has come a long way. During his speech, he makes eye contact with his wife and begins to speak directly to her from the stage, telling her that she is the reason he ever succeeded and the reason that he exists. The scene begins in the middle of chapter 19, at exactly 125:00, and ends after John Nash begins to walk off the stage, at 127:28.
Scene Introduction:
Today we’re going to watch a scene from a movie called A Beautiful Mind. But I have to set up the scene so you know what’s going on. John Nash, played by Russell Crowe, is a mathematical genius. He’s getting old now, but he’s just been selected for the Nobel Prize, which is a huge worldwide award for contributing something incredible to the world. It’s an enormous honor. But to get to where he is at, he has had to deal with mental illness, a marriage that almost failed because of his sickness, people labeling him as a crazy person, and several people who just plain didn’t want him to succeed. Because of his wife and the love she’s had for him, John Nash has received one of the greatest awards that a man can receive in the world today. So when we watch this clip, you’ll see John Nash giving his thank-you speech for the Nobel Prize. But look at where his focus is. It’s huge; don’t miss it.
Scene Script:
The scene begins in the middle of chapter 19, at exactly 125:00
- JOHN NASH: Thank you. I’ve always believed in numbers. In the equations and logic that lead to reason. But after a lifetime of such pursuits, I ask, what truly is logic? Who decides reason? My quest has taken me through the physical, the metaphysical, the delusional, and back. And I have made the most important discovery of my career-(locks eyes with his wife) the most important discovery of my life. (Now speaking directly to his wife) It is only in the mysterious equations of love that any logical reasons can be found. I’m only here tonight because of you. You are the reason I am. You are all my reasons. Thank you.
(The audience gives John Nash a standing ovation. He uses her handkerchief to wipe his face and begins to leave the stage.)
Transitional Statement:
One of the reasons that this scene is so powerful is that there are thousands of people in that room, and yet John Nash is able to see his wife in the crowd and give her the credit she deserves. He looks through the whole crowd and through it all is able to see who really needs the real thank-you. You know, a lot of times, when we do these Bible studies and devotions, we discuss the bad stuff in our lives or the stuff that we need to change about ourselves, and we don’t really get a chance to focus on the really good things in our lives. Today we’re focusing on these good things. But the real idea is that in the midst of all the great things and people that are around us, and in the midst of all the attention we may sometimes get, we need to be able to see through it all and still focus on the one who deserves all of the credit…God. Right now we’re going to split up into our discussion groups, and we’re going to figure out just how to do what John Nash did: put the credit where it’s due.
Divide into Small Groups:
Let’s go ahead and split up into our discussion groups, and then afterward we’ll come back together for a final word.
INCLUDING SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS, SCRIPTURE AND A WRAP UP
| Featured Book: Jonathan and Fred’s new discussion starter book using questions about current slanguage |
GET TEENAGERS TALKING,
LAUGHING, DEBATING, AND THINKING
What’s a Fo’ Sheezy?
More Than 300 Questions from Slanguage to Get Teenagers Talking
Youth Specialties’ brand new book by Jonathan McKee & Fred Lynch
Efrem Smith says it well:
- “Fred and Jonathan understand that youth culture is both shaping as well as being shaped by hip-hop, multi-ethnic, and urban sub-cultures. These sub-cultures carry values, fashion, and language. This is a great resource in helping youth workers especially connect to what this generation is saying in order to go deeper to what they’re thinking and feeling. Thanks brothers for both a fun and needed addition to my youth ministry library.”
– Efrem Smith, Author, Raising Up Young Heroes and The Hip Hop Church (with Phil Jackson).
| Movie Reviews: Jonathan and Todd banter about THE DEPARTED, Todd reviews STRANGER THAN FICTION and Jonathan’s nine-year-old reviews FLUSHED AWAY |
Departed, The (2/13/2007)Rated R for strong brutal violence, pervasive language, some strong sexual content and drug material.
Directed by Martin Scorsese (Goodfellas & Gangs of New York)
Starring Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio & Mark Wahlberg
JONATHAN’S AND TODD’S SCORE: Theatre Worthy
The Departed has the amazing cast of Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio & Mark Wahlberg and the legendary director Martin Scorsese… and it doesn’t disappoint. It is without a doubt one of the best movies of the year.
Jack Nicholson plays Frank Costello, the ruthless Irish mob boss who recruits Collin Sullivan (Matt Damon), a street-smart criminal to infiltrate the police department and keep him abreast of their every move. Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio), because of his family and his past, is rejected by the elite police task force but is offered a chance to make a name for himself by infiltrating Costello’s crime syndicate as an undercover agent. Both Costigan and Sullivan must race against time and each other to conceal their true identify as well as trying to expose the other’s.
Got that?
If not, read it again…or just rent it, you won’t be disappointed.
TODD’S WORD: I loved this movie. It is a smart, exciting, action-packed story that takes you on two very different journeys that merge into one violent ending, with a few surprises I didn’t see coming. Along the way there were more than enough twists and turns, to keep me on the edge of my seat as well as a story that was so well crafted I genuinely cared about every character.
Speaking of the characters, not only is the cast amazing, but they are perfectly casted. There wasn’t a weak link or a character that was not believable.
JONATHAN’S WORD: I agree with Todd … mostly (to quote Newt from Aliens).
TODD’S WORD: That quote was a stretch.
JONATHAN’S WORD: Ah come on! You gotta love Newt! Even Hudson wanted to “put her in charge!”
TODD’S WORD: Can we get back to The Departed?
JONATHAN’S WORD: As soon as you stop hurling onslaughts at my movie quotes!
Yes, The Departed’s plot was very original-undoubtedly an incredible storyline. And the acting and direction were superb. I just didn’t like the ending. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but the ending was just too depressing.
TODD’S WORD: What? Like that makes a film bad? What about Glory?
Stranger Than Fiction (2/27/2007)Rated PG-13 for some disturbing images, sexuality, brief language and nudity.
Directed by Marc Forster (Finding Neverland & Monster’s Ball)
Starring Will Ferrell, Emma Thompson, Maggie Gyllenhaal & Dustin Hoffman
TODD’S SCORE: Theatre Worthy
Let me start by saying this is one of those movies that was completely different from what the trailer portrayed. The images I remember were Will Ferrell (the funniest man alive!!) doing what he does best. Clip after clip, I watched the trailer and laughed, waiting to see the movie. But Stranger than Fiction is less about comedy and a lot more about drama. That being said, the movie was a one of the best surprises I have found in a long time.
If you don’t like Will Ferrell, you’re dumb…I’m kidding – please don’t send letters. In all seriousness, if you don’t like Will Ferrell, this may be the movie that changes your mind. There are moments that are just typical hilarious Will Ferrell, but you also get to see another side of him. I was impressed with his “emotional range” and it shocked me to see him cry.
And last but not least, Jonathan’s nine-year-old daughter Ashley’s review of the movie Flushed Away. Ashley is doing “response to literatures” at school… so we let her have a try with a movie review. You can email us and let us know what you think of it.
Flushed Away (2/20/2007)
Rated PG for crude humor and some language.
Directed by David Bowers and Sam Fell (both first time directors)
Starring the voices of Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet and Ian McKellen
Flushed Away was a movie about a mouse who gets flushed down his own toilet. He then discovers that there’s a whole city down in the sewer filled with rats, ninja frogs and singing slugs. His new friend, a girl rat, soon helps him find his way back home. He repays her with a ruby and become a normal pet mouse again.
Flushed Away was a funny movie. It was an adventurous story with good characters too. I wouldn’t call it hilarious, but still funny. I think that this movie would be a 7 out of 10. But The Incredibles I would give 10 out of 10. Don’t trust my opinion… I’m just a nine-years-old.
I think that the creator of the movie is trying to tell us a message. Don’t ask me… I haven’t found it yet. But I think it has to do something with friendship being more important than other stuff.
SHOULD KIDS WATCH IT:
I think kids 3 or 4 years old and up could watch it. It had a few dirty jokes, but I just pretended I didn’t hear them. I can do that. I’m only nine! (I wrote this on paper, but my dad typed it for me. Thanks Dad!)
| Reaching Out to the Unchurched Teenager Training: Last week to get the early bird rate of just $10 for the Eastern PA training on Saturday March 17th … coming April 28th: Detroit, Michigan training |
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is the last week to get the early bird rate of just $10 (includes lunch) for the Eastern Pennsylvania location!
Eastern, PA
March 17th, Jonathan is doing a Saturday workshop (9AM to 3PM) for youth workers within driving distance of Eastern, PA. If you’re a youth worker, paid or a volunteer, this is for you!
Here’s the details for this Pennsylvania training:
WHEN:
- Saturday March 17, 2007, 9 AM to 3 PM
- Rainbow’s End Youth Services
105 Fairview Street
Mount Joy, PA 17552
- Two choices:
- $20 (includes lunch)
- Only $10 (lunch Included) for paid pre-registration if paid on or before March 9, 2007
- Contact Dean Peters @ 717-653-9511
Or email dpeters@reys.org
Or register online at www.reys.org
Detroit, MI
April 28th, Jonathan is doing a Saturday workshop (9AM to 3PM) for youth workers within driving distance of Detroit, MI. If you’re a youth worker, paid or a volunteer, this is for you!
Here’s the details for this Michigan training:
WHEN:
- Saturday, April 28, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Ward Church
40000 six mile
Northville, mi 48168
www.WardChurch.org
- Two choices:
- $15 at the door
- $10 early bird rate if registered by April 21st
- Contact Jared Dilley (248) 374-5925
Or email jared.dilley@wardchurch.org
CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO
BRING THIS TRAINING TO YOUR AREA
Delivered free via e-mail to subscribers each week. We encourage you to distribute this newsletter freely and ask only that you not change its contents.
HAVE YOU MISSED PAST “EZINE” ARTICLES?
CLICK HERE FOR JONATHAN’S “EZINE” ARCHIVES
And for more FREE resources and ideas … go to THE SOURCE
www.TheSource4YM.com
Copyright ?2007 The Source for Youth Ministry
All rights reserved.
Jonathan McKee
Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books including the brand new The Guy's Guide to FOUR BATTLES Every Young Man Must Face; The Teen’s Guide to Social Media & Mobile Devices; If I Had a Parenting Do Over; and the Amazon Best Seller - The Guy's Guide to God, Girls and the Phone in Your Pocket. He speaks to parents and leaders worldwide, all while providing free resources for youth workers on TheSource4YM.com. Jonathan, his wife Lori, and their three kids live in California.